Michigan State University Team Wraps Up Huron County Electric Vehicle Charging Assessment
In July of 2025, the Huron County Economic Development Corporation received a $50,050 grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Community Energy Management Program. Since then, the EDC partnered with Dr. Mehrnaz Ghamami and her team of graduate and doctoral students in the engineering department at Michigan State University to conduct an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure assessment for Huron County.
The assessment provided the EDC with data, analysis, and recommendations regarding the county’s current EV charging capacity, projected future needs, and potential strategies for EV infrastructure development.
Understanding Huron County’s EV Needs
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, communities across Michigan are considering how their infrastructure will need to adapt. For Huron County, understanding where charging infrastructure exists today, and where additional infrastructure may be needed in the future, is an important part of planning for continued mobility, tourism, and economic development.
The MSU team worked to better understand Huron County’s existing charging infrastructure and identify opportunities to support future EV charging needs. The assessment considered factors such as existing infrastructure, community characteristics, travel patterns, and projected demand.
Throughout the project, the MSU team also connected with communities and local utility partners across the county to gain a better understanding of local conditions and opportunities.
Building a Roadmap for Future Infrastructure
Rather than simply identifying where charging stations exist today, the assessment gives Huron County a clearer picture of how charging infrastructure could evolve over time.
The information gathered through the project can help local communities, businesses, utilities, and other partners better understand potential infrastructure needs and consider future charging opportunities when planning new development, public facilities, parking areas, and other community investments.
The assessment also provides a foundation for identifying potential locations and prioritizing future EV charging investments based on anticipated needs and local conditions.
Looking Ahead
With the assessment now complete, the EDC now has the proper information that can help guide conversations about EV infrastructure and apply for EV Infrastructure funding to support EV investments throughout Huron County.
The goal is not simply to add charging stations, but to better understand where infrastructure can provide the greatest benefit to residents, businesses, visitors, and the communities that make up Huron County.
As the county continues planning for future economic and community development, the findings from this assessment will serve as one additional tool to help communities make informed decisions about infrastructure investments and future needs.
The Huron County EDC looks forward to continuing to work with local communities, businesses, utilities, and regional partners to explore opportunities for EV infrastructure and other investments that support Huron County’s long-term economic future.